Skip to main content

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp

Upper Manistee Campsite

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp

Contact
Phone: 989-348-7068

Surrounded by red pines and hardwoods, this charming rustic campground offers excellent opportunities for paddling and trout fishing. Located along the Upper Manistee River, visitors can walk a narrow footpath along the water's edge and access the river from many points throughout the campground. A staircase in the center of the campground leads down to the river, or access is available by taking the footpath adjacent to site #16. There is a large group-use area near the river for paddle-in or walk-in camping. Parking for the walk-in sites is located a quarter mile southeast of the main campground entrance. There are 30 sites for tent, small trailer and large trailer use.

The campground is located 7.7 miles southwest of Frederic via County Road 612 and Goose Creek Road.

Recreation Passport required

A Recreation Passport (park pass) is required for vehicle entry into all state park and forest campgrounds.

Operating dates and amenities

View state forest campground rates. operating dates & amenities

State forest campground info

Find more info on state forest campgrounds.

Amenities & activities

fishing symbol

Fishing

group-use area

Group-use area

hunting symbol

Hunting

paddle-in campsite symbol

Paddle-in campsite

paddling symbol

Paddling

rustic camping symbol

Rustic sites

vault toilet symbol

Vault toilet

walk-in sites symbol

Walk-in campsites

water access symbol

Water access

winter camping symbol

Winter camping

fishing symbol

Fishing

Brown, brook and rainbow trout are caught in the Manistee River. A nearby fishing opportunity is Lake Margrethe (8 miles south).

group-use area

Group-use area

There is a large paddle-in/walk-in group-use area near the river on the northeast side of the campground.

hunting symbol

Hunting

This campground provides access to state land open to hunting. Firearm hunting is not allowed within 450 feet of an occupied dwelling.

paddle-in campsite symbol

Paddle-in campsite

There is a group-use camping area accessible from the Manistee River for canoe camping.

paddling symbol

Paddling

Explore the Manistee River from the campground. There is a parking area with space for four vehicles in the campground near site # 5. The walk from the parking area to the river is about 50 yards.

rustic camping symbol

Rustic sites

vault toilet symbol

Vault toilet

walk-in sites symbol

Walk-in campsites

There is a large paddle-in/walk-in group-use area near the river located on the southeast side of the campground.

water access symbol

Water access

This rustic campground is located along the Manistee River.

winter camping symbol

Winter camping

This rustic campground is open all year; however, the campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.

Area map

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us for the latest on camping, trails, boating and Michigan's outdoors. You can also follow our Instagram!

You can view without an account.

Recreate Responsibly

Keep yourself, your friends and family, and the outdoors safe.

Camping rules

Guidelines for camping in a state forest.

Photos